The Shadow Within

apped itself around Emilia. She felt Elara's grip

at's happening?"

"The house is old, child. The elec

e presence lurking just beyond the ed

eerie shadows on the walls. Emilia's heart skipped a beat. Th

candles?" E

ic. "Perhaps the house itself

. The house, sentient? I

t our family's his

milia. They harnessed the moon's power to heal, protect, and divine. But

Gifts? She felt like she was unravelin

he shadows?"

manifestation of our darker selves. They hold the sec

s echoed in her mind: "The t

being pulled toward some

htened. "Be cautious, child.

es on the walls. Emilia felt the presence clos

arn to control your

Emili

s. "I've taught you all I can. The r

shadows coalescing into a pre

," Emilia

hers. "You must, child.

arkness once more. Emilia felt the presence vani

erself: she would uncover the secrets o

woke to find Elara gone

th, Emilia. It will l

hat truth? And where woul

olve, Emilia set ou

r 2 of "The S

2: The

dim light of the room. Elara's face,

t?" Elara asked, her v

ted. The strange energy surge

by chair. "Sit, rest for a mo

mind reeled with questions. What was happening to her? W

eaming cup. "Drink this,

filling her nostrils. The warmth spr

what happene

appearance, and the strange energy surge. Elara lis

a," Elara said. "Your lu

itage?" Emil

the moon for generations. We harness it

whirled. "Crafts?

e weavers, Emilia. Weavers o

ilia's skepticism wa

," Emili

moon's energy, bending it to their will. They crafted

o comprehend. "And what a

ws hold our deepest fears, desires, and pote

ough Emilia. "And Ka

rious one. His motives are unclear, b

thoughts flashed to

nderstand,"

r heritage, your gifts. But firs

oughts turned to the d

at?" Emi

exploit your power. And the shadows within yourse

closing in. Emilia felt the weight of h

that happen,"

Together, we'll master your gift

ed Emilia a small, in

his?" Emi

rs," Elara replied. "A to

x, revealing a delic

" Elara instructed. "It'll gu

ndant around her neck,

to brighten, the

dy," Emi

d. "Then le

the shadows within, and uncover the truth about her family's past. Elara's guidan

ean by 'the shadow wi

yourself, Emilia, born from your deepest fears and desires. Every perso

" Emilia

n fuel your power. Your ancestors knew this, and th

arnessing darkness? It s

Emili

tation, and lunar alignment. Your ancestors could tap

l, his enigmatic smile and piercing gaz

t our family's his

practitioners, Emilia. They harnessed the moon's power to heal, protect

d off, leaving Emili

Emilia

the Black Moon. A secret society that seeks t

h Emilia's veins. Secre

to our family

The Order sought to eliminate any who could rival their power

Her family's past was da

l?" Emil

autious around him, Emilia.

ords echoed in her mind: "The truth about yo

t crackling of candles. Emilia felt the weig

yone exploit me

her, we'll master your gifts. And unc

uring to a small, hidden co

Elara said. "Study them, Emi

on. She would uncover the truth, master